Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Board Meeting - October 6, 2025

Date discrepancy note: The chair called the meeting to order as September 25, 2025, but the user-provided meeting date is October 6, 2025. The summary follows the user-provided date.

The board convened to discuss sustainable mobility programs and leaded aviation fuels, approve a contract extension for the community car share program, and receive the Air Pollution Control Officer's report. The meeting included presentations, public comment, and board deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously via voice roll call: The consent calendar passed without objection. Directors participating remotely (Dickinson, Geta, Hume, Kennedy, Lopez Taff, Maple, Robles, Sander, Sandu, Cerna, Vang) voted aye or said yes. Chair Aquino also voted aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cameron Belton, manager of the Green Tech Mobility Hub in Del Paso Heights, spoke in support of the community car share program. He highlighted workforce development: 46 individuals aged 16–24 have been trained on EV charging maintenance and lifestyle shifts. The hub serves as a training center and has created jobs, including service technicians for EV chargers. He noted the program's role in helping the community transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.2: Sustainable Mobility in the Capital Region – Paul Philly, Program Manager for Transportation and Climate Change, presented on the community car share program (OCCS). He reviewed the program's history (started 2017), impact of the pandemic, and shift to a cost-share model ($4/hour for subsidized members, $8/hour for public). Key metrics: 60,000 zero-emission miles in one pre-pandemic quarter; post-pandemic recovery with revenue from public users supporting sustainability. The program has reached nearly 45,000 EV miles in the current quarter and is approaching one million cumulative zero-emission miles (expected by November 2025). Next steps include extending service contracts through July 2027, leveraging an EV blueprint grant from the city of Sacramento, and opening more sites to the public. Staff recommended authorizing the executive director to extend the contract and raise the amount, funded by state grants.

  • Board discussion: Director Hume raised concerns that federal transportation funding metrics use gas tax revenue as a benchmark, penalizing regions with successful EV adoption. She noted the irony that reduced gas tax revenue (due to EVs) could hinder infrastructure repair. Vice Chair Maple praised the program's creativity and noted international interest from a recent study mission to the Netherlands.
  • Motion: Moved by Chair Aquino to approve the staff recommendation. Approved unanimously.

• Item 6.1: Lead and General Aviation Fuels – Amy Roberts, Division Director for Engineering and Compliance, presented a white paper on lead in aviation fuel, focusing on Sacramento Executive Airport. Key points: Lead is a neurotoxin with serious health impacts; small aircraft using leaded AvGas are one of the largest remaining lead sources. Federal and state actions: EPA endangerment finding (2023), FAA reauthorization act (2024) targeting 2030, and California SB 1193 (bans leaded fuel by Jan 1, 2031). Monitoring data (Del Paso Manor, AB 617 community, United Latinos) show ambient lead levels well below federal standard (0.15 µg/m³). SAC Executive emits ~0.5 tons of lead per year. Other airports (Reed Hillview, Livermore, Santa Monica) have taken early actions such as fuel bans or subsidies for unleaded fuel, but FAA grant assurances prevent outright bans until alternatives are certified. Staff recommended receiving and filing the report and continuing discussions with the community and airport.

  • Board discussion: Director Cerna questioned the viability of alternatives by 2031, noting most general aviation aircraft are older models and fuel-side innovation is ahead of engine retrofits. He expressed concern that the state ban might lack preemption if no safe alternative exists. Director Lopez Taff questioned the completeness of health impact data in the presentation. Director Maple and Director Hume raised concerns about the planned placement of a portable air monitoring lab at a site near the former gun range at Mangum Park, which could conflate AvGas lead with legacy soil contamination. Director Cerna noted the monitoring site is directly atop a known historical lead contamination area. Dr. Ayala (APCO) assured the board that staff will re-evaluate the location to avoid data distortion and will inform the board before deployment. The board agreed to reassess.

• Item 6.3: Community Air Protection Plan Progress – Postponed to October at the request of Chair Aquino.

• APCO Report: Mr. Lemos Lucing presented on two items:

  1. Ribbon cutting for the first hydrogen locomotive switcher in the U.S., operated by Sierra Northern Railway. The district contributed $5 million from the California Energy Commission and won an additional $15 million from CalSTA for three more locomotives. Each hydrogen locomotive reduces NOx emissions by 3 tons/year, equivalent to removing about 2,000 cars.
  2. SB 88 (co-sponsored by the district) is awaiting the governor’s signature (deadline Oct 12). The bill supports reducing agricultural burning and promoting alternative uses for biomass. It passed with bipartisan support.
  • Directors praised the hydrogen locomotive achievement. Director Cerna asked about hydrogen storage on the locomotive; Mr. Lemos Lucing confirmed it is stored on board adjacent to the fuel cell stack.

• Board Ideas and AB 1234 Reports: Vice Chair Maple reported on a study mission to the Netherlands funded by the Air District. She highlighted the Netherlands' emphasis on public transit, autonomous shuttles, and electric aircraft. She advocated for increased investment in public transit as the top priority for meeting climate goals. She also noted interest from Caltrans and NASA in exploring electric aircraft training in Sacramento.

Key Outcomes

• Contract extension for community car share program approved (Item 6.2).
• White paper on lead and aviation fuels received and filed (Item 6.1); no formal action taken.
• Monitoring location reassessment: Dr. Ayala committed to re-evaluating the portable air lab placement due to concerns about conflating lead sources. The board will be informed before deployment.
• APCO report received.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for October 2025; no meetings in November and December.